As I sit down to write a few lines for our weekly newsletter two things have caught my attention. I have just heard that the government has announced a large infusion of cash to help children and teenagers catch up with learning after the disruption caused by Covid 19. I
Continue readingTHIS SUNDAY we keep in this country the feast of Corpus et Sanguis Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ, a feast day which began in the Middle Ages to celebrate, away from the sombre atmosphere of Holy Week, the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus at the Last Supper.
Continue reading►What if our church had to meet in secret? ►What if following Jesus meant facing violence or even death? ►What if owning a Bible was illegal? ►What if family members turned against you because of your faith? ►What if you were put in prison for your faith? ►What if spies
Continue readingThe feast of Pentecost is here and coincides this year with the long awaited easing of lockdown, two reasons for celebration. Today we mark the end of the Easter season, fifty days after the Resurrection and ten days after the Lord’s Ascension into Heaven when the Holy Spirit, the breath
Continue readingThree years ago I was on a retreat for members of the clergy. During a session assigned to discussing current issues in our ministry, I asked how colleagues were responding to their parishioners’ concerns about the scandal of sexual abuse of children, young people and other vulnerable people within the
Continue readingIn the midst of a crowd of children and adults, a young boy was being encouraged to ask a question of Pope Francis but he couldn’t bring himself to utter the words. Despite much prompting he remained silent. It was too much of an ordeal and eventually he covered his
Continue readingThis Saturday is the feast of St Joseph the Worker, a special observance established by Pope Pius XII some years ago to coincide with ‘May Day’, associated with the struggle for workers’ rights throughout the world (and the reason why Monday is a bank holiday) – it’s particularly important this
Continue readingAs you all know, a little more than a year ago the pews were moved and replaced with chairs to maintain hygiene and safety. Furthermore, not too long ago the only option was to attend Mass virtually via live streamed services. We now have the pews back in place and
Continue readingIt’s some time now since a bishop last came to St Edmund’s to celebrate Mass, but something to notice at such a Mass is that at the beginning, instead of saying The Lord be with you a bishop says Peace be with you. This seemingly unimportant act joins the bishop,
Continue readingOn behalf of the clergy, I wish you all a very blessed Easter. We are immensely grateful for your prayers, good wishes, and Easter cards. Fr Ashley, Fr David and I of course thank you for your generous Easter offerings. Sometimes amidst all the backlog and drudgery of work, something
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